Today is World Maths Day, an event which sees pupils from UK schools compete with students from around the world in a 48 hour live maths competition. The contest involves mental arithmetic tests - the more tests pupils take (up to a maximum of 500 over the 48 hour period of the contest,) the more marks they get. The highest-scoring pupils in each age group will receive gold medals, and a World Maths Day trophy is awarded to the most successful class.
The competition has become more and more popular over the years, encouraging pupils to sharpen their maths skills and showing that the subject can be great fun.
Ofsted has published The National Strategies: a review of impact in advance of new arrangements due to replace the National Strategies in 2011. It identifies lessons from programmes ranging from literacy and numeracy, to pupil behaviour and the development of a more highly skilled workforce. Almost all the schools visited considered that the National Strategies had contributed to improving the quality of teaching and learning, including the use of assessment by tracking, and they valued their training and support materials.
Access to child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) is inconsistent for young people in care, with provisions varying from good to none at all, according to An evaluation of the provision of mental health services for looked after young people over the age of 16 accommodated in residential settings.
If you are a provider, Ofsted would like to hear your views about how we share good practice with you. Ofsted’s publications highlight aspects of good practice across a range of topics, based on the evidence we gather through our inspection work. We would like your views to help us improve.
Ofsted is preparing its first single equality scheme. This is the second stage of the consultation, the first stage identified the priority equality objectives which have shaped the scheme so far.
The closing date for the consultation is 12 March 2010.
Ofsted has been asked by the Department for Children Schools and Families to inspect local authorities’ private fostering arrangements for a second time. The purpose of this consultation is to seek a wide range of views from those who have an interest in, or expertise relating to, private fostering arrangements in order to ensure that the inspection framework takes proper account of the needs and circumstances of all interested parties but above all the needs of the children and young people who are privately fostered. Therefore we are particularly interested to hear from privately fostered children and young people.
The closing date for the consultation is 19 May 2010.
We inspect and regulate to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages.
The new Ofsted brings together the wide experience of four inspectorates to make a greater difference for every child, and for all young people and adult learners, in England. Their educational, economic and social well-being will promote our success as a country.
Our Ofsted: who we are and what we do leaflet and two Raising standards, improving lives booklets explain what we do and how our work is helping to improve outcomes for children and learners. They are available in About us.
Annual Report 2008/09
The Report principally presents evidence from inspection and regulatory visits undertaken by Ofsted between September 2008 and August 2009.
Outstanding Providers 2008/09
The list of providers judged to be outstanding following an inspection in 2008/09 is now live. You can view the new list on the link below.
Safeguarding FAQs
Our safeguarding FAQs are divided into three sections: schools and colleges; learning and skills providers; Cafcass service areas.
Early Years: Leading to Excellence
Ofsted's latest report on early years and childcare focuses on leadership and management.
Ofsted News
Find out the latest about inspection in our free online magazine.
talisman
Subscribe to talisman, our free newspaper for employees and learners in the learning and skills sector.
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